Beyond metrics - Understanding impact through a stakeholder ecosystems lens for not-for-profit social enterprises

Abstract

This research examines how not-for-profit organisations operating as social enterprises approach impact assessment, with a particular focus on stakeholder ecosystems. Through a systematic literature review and qualitative interviews with practitioners, the study identifies limitations in current measurement practices, particularly their failure to account for stakeholder complexity. Findings highlight the value of a stakeholder ecosystem perspective in capturing relational, long-term, and mission-aligned impact. The research proposes a more holistic framework for impact assessment and offers theoretical, practical, and policy implications to support more meaningful evaluation in hybrid not-for-profit models.